The press junket for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was held this weekend in Beverly Hills and whilst there, IESB asked about the long standing rumour that Keith Richards would appear as Capt. Jack Sparrow's father in the third film. The four key personnel behind the scenes responded:

Jerry Bruckheimer (producer)
"I think we worked out some dates, as long as he doesn't fall out of any more trees..."

Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (writers)
"Keith Richards was never intended to be in Pirates 2. He is supposed to be in 3. Johnny wanted him in but there was just no room in the story in 2. But there is in 3. According to the press, he's in he's out he's in he's out, I honestly think people made that up."

Gore Verbinski (director)
"I don't want to give it away but he will be in the third. We haven't filmed the Keith Richard part yet."

Will he portray Jack Sparrow's Dad though? "We are not going to confirm that, that's indeterminate. We want to protect the story until the audience sees it. That gives ourselves room to make improvements" says the writers. Verbinski was equally coy - "I don't want to give anything away, it's open to interpretation."

Bruckheimer also confirmed that whilst "At World's End" was one of the subtitles they have been throwing around as names for the third installment, they are a long way off from deciding a final one.